Facilitating installation of fiber optic networks

ABSTRACT

An optical system architecture includes indexed optical lines that are indexed between first and second multi-fiber connectors; a first of the optical line having a first end terminated at the first multi-fiber connector; and a second optical line having a first end terminated at the second multi-fiber. An input of an optical splitter is optically coupled to second ends of the first and second optical lines. The optical splitter splits optical signals carried over the first and second optical lines onto output lines so that each output line carries signals split from the first optical line and signals split from the second optical line.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/822,337,filed Mar. 18, 2020, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.16/259,594, filed Jan. 28, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,598,887, which isa divisional of application Ser. No. 15/840,662, filed Dec. 13, 2017,now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.14/876,140, filed Oct. 6, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,851,525, whichapplication claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.62/060,289, filed Oct. 6, 2014, and titled “Facilitating Installation ofFiber Optic Networks,” which applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Passive optical networks are becoming prevalent in part because serviceproviders want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities tocustomers. Passive optical networks are a desirable choice fordelivering high-speed communication data because they may not employactive electronic devices, such as amplifiers and repeaters, between acentral office and a subscriber termination. The absence of activeelectronic devices may decrease network complexity and/or cost and mayincrease network reliability.

SUMMARY

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, an optical networkincludes an optical cable arrangement including a plurality of opticalfibers that define first optical lines that are indexed in a firstindexing direction along the optical cable arrangement; an indexingterminal disposed at an intermediate location along the optical cablearrangement; and a splitter terminal disposed external of the indexingterminal. At least one of the first optical lines drops off at theindexing terminal. An output cable defines a drop line that opticallycouples the first optical line that dropped off at the indexing terminalto an input of an optical splitter at the splitter terminal.

In certain examples, the indexing terminal includes a first port, asecond port, and a third port. The first optical lines of the opticalcable arrangement are indexed at the second port. The first optical linethat drops off is routed to the third port. In certain examples, thesplitter terminal defines a network output port and a subscriber outputport. The optical splitter has first outputs directed to the networkoutput port and an additional output directed to the subscriber outputport.

In certain examples, the optical fibers of the optical cable arrangementalso define second optical lines that are indexed in a second indexingdirection along the optical cable arrangement. The second indexingdirection is different from the first indexing direction. At least oneof the second optical lines drops off at the indexing terminal. In anexample, the output cable defines a second drop line that opticallycouples the second optical line that dropped off at the indexingterminal to the input of the optical splitter at the splitter terminal.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the presentdisclosure and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is asfollows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example network includingbidirectional indexing terminals and separate splitter terminals.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a splitter terminal disposedexternal of the indexing terminals shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fiber optic network 100 including an optical cablearrangement 102 having optical fibers 103 that define first opticallines A₁-An. In certain examples, the cable arrangement 102 includesbetween two and forty-eight optical fibers 103. In certain examples, thecable arrangement 102 includes between eight and sixteen optical fibers103. In certain examples, the cable arrangement 102 includes betweensixteen and thirty-two optical fibers 103. In certain examples, thecable arrangement 102 includes between twelve and twenty-four opticalfibers 103. In an example, the cable arrangement 102 includestwenty-four optical fibers 103. However, cables arrangements 102 witheven larger fiber counts are contemplated.

One or more indexing terminals 110 are disposed along the optical cablearrangement 102. In certain implementations, multiple indexing terminals110 are daisy chained together using the cable arrangement 102. Incertain examples, each indexing terminal 110 is disposed at anintermediate location along the cable arrangement 102. In certainexamples, the first optical lines A₁-An pass through the indexingterminals 110. The first optical lines A₁-An of the optical cablearrangement 102 are indexed at the indexing terminal 110 so that atleast one of the first optical lines A₁-An drops off at the indexingterminal 110.

The cable arrangement 102 includes one or more multi-fiber cables.Opposite ends of the multi-fiber cables are terminated at opticalconnectors. In certain implementations, one or both multi-fiber cablescan be configured to be ruggedly connected to indexing terminals 110. Asthe term is used herein, a connection is “ruggedized” when the opticalconnector and optical adapter are configured to environmentally sealtogether and are configured to robustly connect together. As the term isused herein, a “robust connection” refers to a connection of an opticalconnector to an optical adapter such that the optical connector canwithstand an axial load of at least 100 pounds without pulling out ofthe optical adapter. In certain examples, a robust connection structureincludes twist-to-lock connections. In an example, a twist-to-lockconnection includes a bayonet connection. In another example, atwist-to-lock connection includes a threaded connection. Somenon-limiting example ruggedized optical connector interfaces suitablefor use with an indexing terminal are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,744,288, 7,762,726, 7,744,286, 7,942,510, and 7,959,361, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some implementations, the cable arrangement 102 includes multiplemulti-fiber cables 104 terminated at a first end by a first opticalconnector 105 and terminated at a second end by a second opticalconnector 115. In examples, the first optical connector 105 is aruggedized optical connector. The optical fibers 103 are disposed at thefirst optical connector 105 in sequential positions. The optical fibers103 are also disposed at the second optical connector 115 in sequentialpositions. In some implementations, the optical fibers 103 are loosewithin the cables 104. In other implementations, the optical fibers 103are arranged in fiber ribbons.

The first optical lines A₁-An are indexed in a first indexing directionF along the optical cable arrangement 102. For example, one or more ofthe first optical lines A₁-A_(n) progressively drops off at variousindexing locations (e.g., indexing terminals 110) along the cablearrangement 102. In the example shown, the optical fibers 103 of eachfiber ribbon R1, R2 are disposed at the first optical connector 105 insequential positions P_(F1)-P_(FN), P_(S1)-P_(SN), respectively. In someimplementations, the first optical lines A₁-An are indexed in the firstdirection F by dropping off at least the first optical line A₁ at thefirst sequential position P_(F1) of the first optical connector 105. Afirst optical line A₂ extending from a second sequential position P_(F2)at the first optical connector 105 also drops off at the indexingterminal 110. The remaining first optical lines extend from the firstoptical connector 105 to the first available position in sequence at thesecond connector 115 beginning with the first optical line A₃ extendingfrom a third sequential position P_(F3) at the first optical connector105 to a first sequential position P_(S1) at the second opticalconnector 115.

In some implementations, the sequential positions at the connectors 105,115 are disposed in one or more rows R1, R2. For example, the firstoptical connector 105 can include a first row R1 of sequential positionsP_(F1)-P_(FX) and a second row R1 of sequential positions P_(FA)-P_(FN).In certain implementations, each row R1, R2 of positions is separatelyindexed. Indexing the ribbons R1, R2 separately avoids the need tocross-index the optical fibers between the ribbons R1, R2.

Accordingly, first optical lines extending from the first sequentialposition P_(F1), P_(FA) of each row R1, R2 can drop off at the indexingterminal 110 while a first optical lines extending from subsequentsequential positions (e.g., the third sequential positions) can berouted to the first available position in sequence at a correspondingrow on the second optical connector 115. If an optical fiber 103 extendsfrom one of the positions in a first row R1 at the first opticalconnector 105, then the optical fiber 103 will extend to one of thepositions in the first row at the second optical connector 115 and willnot extend to a different row at the second connector 115.

In other implementations, the first optical lines can be dropped off inany desired configuration. For example, the first optical lines could beindexed non-sequentially or sequentially starting with the lastsequential position. In still other examples, a greater or lesser numberof first optical lines can drop off at the indexing terminal 110.

The example indexing terminals 110 shown in FIG. 1 includes a closure111 defining a first cable port 112, a second cable port 114, and athird cable port 116. The first optical lines A₁-An of the optical cablearrangement 102 pass through the first cable port 112 and are indexed atthe second cable port 114. A first optical line that drops off at theindexing terminal 110 is routed to the third cable port (i.e., dropport) 116. In certain examples, multiple first optical lines drop off atthe indexing terminal 110. In some such examples, the first opticallines that drop off are routed to the third cable port 116. In othersuch examples, the first optical lines that drop off are routed tomultiple drop ports including the third cable port 116.

In some implementations, each indexing terminal 110 is associated withone of the multi-fiber cables 104 of the cable arrangement 102. Incertain examples, the cable 104 is pre-cabled within the indexingterminal 110 at a factory prior to installation in the field. In certainimplementations, the first optical connector 105 of the cable 104 isdisposed external of the indexing terminal 110 and the second opticalconnector 115 of the cable 104 is disposed internal of the indexingterminal 110. For example, the cable 104 can extend into the closure 111through a sealed pass-through port 112 and the second connector 115 canbe received at the second cable port 114. In an example, the secondconnector 115 can be received at a ruggedized external port of aruggedized optical adapter. In an example, the internal port of theoptical adapter is non-ruggedized.

As the term is used herein, an optical adapter is “ruggedized” when atleast one port of the optical adapter is configured to provide aruggedized connection to an optical connector received at the port. If aruggedized optical adapter is carried by a closure, then the ruggedizedoptical adapter will be environmentally sealed (e.g., using a gasket) tothe closure. In some examples, a ruggedized port can include a seal(e.g., a gasket) disposed therein to press against an optical connectorreceived in the port. In other examples, the ruggedized port can includea wall or other structure against which a seal on a connector may presswhen the connector is received at the port. Examples of non-ruggedizedports include ports configured to receive standard single fiberconnectors (e.g., SC plugs, SC adapters, LC plugs, LC adapters, STplugs, ST adapters, etc.) or standard multi-fiber connectors (e.g., MPOplugs and/or MPO adapters).

The cable 104 extends out of the closure 111 a sufficient distance sothat the first optical connector 105 can be received at the second cableport 114 (e.g., at a ruggedized external port of an optical adapter) ofanother indexing terminal 110 or other equipment. In otherimplementations, optical adapters can be disposed at both the first andsecond cable ports 112, 114 of each indexing terminal 110. Internalcabling within each indexing terminal 110 connects the first, second,and third cable ports 112, 114, 116 of the indexing terminal 110. Insuch implementations, non-indexed multi-fiber cables can be routed tothe first and second cable ports 112. 114.

In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, the network 100 has abidirectional indexing architecture. For example, the optical fibers 103of the optical cable arrangement 102 also can define second opticallines B₁-Bn that are indexed in a second indexing direction S along theoptical cable arrangement 102. The second indexing direction S isdifferent from the first indexing direction F. In an example, thedirections F and S are opposites. At least one of the second opticallines B₁-Bn drops off at each indexing terminal 110. In some examples,the first optical lines A1-A12 and the second optical lines B1-B12extend to a common location, such as a central office. For example, eachend of the optical cable arrangement 102 can be received at a centraloffice (e.g., the same central office or a different central office). Inthis way, the optical fiber lines A1-A12 and the optical fiber linesB1-B12 cooperate to form a fiber loop. In other examples, the first andsecond fibers can be routed to different locations.

In some implementations, the second optical lines B₁-Bn are indexed inthe second direction S by dropping off at least the second optical lineat the last sequential position P_(SN) of the second optical connector115. In the example shown, a second optical line extending from apenultimate sequential position at the second optical connector 115 alsodrops off at the indexing terminal 110. A second optical line extendingfrom an antepenultimate sequential position at the second opticalconnector 115 extends to the last sequential position P_(FN) at thefirst optical connector 105. In other examples, the second optical linescould be indexed non-sequentially or sequentially starting with thefirst sequential position. In still other examples, a greater or lessernumber of second optical lines can drop off at the indexing terminal110.

In the example shown, first optical lines extending from the first twosequential positions P_(F1), P_(F2) of a first ribbon R1 at the firstoptical connector 105, first optical lines extending from the first twosequential positions of a second ribbon R2 at the first opticalconnector 105, second optical lines extending from the last twosequential positions of the first ribbon R1 at the second opticalconnector 115, and second optical lines extending from the last twosequential positions of a second ribbon R2 are dropped off at theindexing terminal 110. In other examples, other routing configurationsare possible.

In some bidirectional architectures, the indexing terminal 110 is cabledso that the first and second optical lines that drop off at the indexingterminal 110 are routed to a common drop port (e.g., the third cableport 116). In other examples, the first and second optical lines thatdrop off can be routed to multiple drop ports 116. In an example, thefirst optical lines that drop off can be routed to one drop port and thesecond optical lines that drop off can be routed to another drop port.In other examples, each drop port 116 can receive one of the firstoptical lines that drops off and one of the second optical lines thatdrops off.

A splitter terminal 130 is disposed external of the indexing terminals110. In certain implementations, each indexing terminal 110 has acorresponding splitter terminal 130. In certain implementations, eachindexing terminal 110 may be associated with multiple splitter terminals130. The splitter terminal 130 includes an enclosure 131 that houses anoptical splitter 180 (see FIG. 2). In certain examples, the enclosure131 can house multiple optical splitters. In various examples, theoptical splitter 180 is configured to split (e.g., power split) anyoptical signal received at the splitter input 181 into multiple (e.g.,two, three, four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two, sixty-four, etc.) opticalsignals that are each output onto a separate optical fiber 185.

An output cable 120 includes an optical fiber 123 that optically couplesone of the first optical lines (e.g., first optical line A_(S)) thatdropped off at the indexing terminal 110 to an input 181 of the opticalsplitter 180 at the splitter terminal 130. In some implementations, theoutput cable 120 also includes an optical fiber 123 that opticallycouples one of the second optical lines (e.g., second optical line B₁)that dropped off at the indexing terminal 110 to a second input 181 ofthe optical splitter 180 at the splitter terminal 130. Accordingly, theoptical splitter 180 receives optical signals carried over the firstoptical line A₁ and optical signals carried over the second optical lineB₁.

First outputs 185 of the optical splitter 180 are routed to a networkoutput port 134 of the splitter terminal 130. In some examples, thefirst outputs 185 include optical signals split from the first opticalline received at the splitter input 181. In certain examples, the firstoutputs 185 include optical signals split from the second optical linereceived at the splitter input 181. In certain examples, the firstoutputs 185 include optical signals split from the first optical linesand optical signals split from the second optical lines. An additionaloutput 187 of the optical splitter 180 is routed to a subscriber outputport 136 of the splitter terminal 130. In some examples, the additionaloutput 187 includes optical signals split from the first optical linereceived at the splitter input 181. In certain examples, the additionaloutput 187 includes optical signals split from the second optical linereceived at the splitter input 181. In certain examples, the additionaloutput 187 includes optical signals split from the first optical linesand optical signals split from the second optical lines. In otherimplementations, however, the splitter terminal 130 may include only oneor more network output ports 134 (i.e., multi-fiber output ports). Instill other implementations, the splitter terminal 130 may include onlyone or more subscriber output ports 136 (i.e., single-fiber outputports).

In certain implementations, the subscriber output port 136 of thesplitter enclosure 131 is one of multiple subscriber output ports 136that each receive optical signals output by the optical splitter. Inexamples, the splitter enclosure 131 defines about two to about sixteensubscriber output ports 136. In examples, the splitter enclosure 131defines about four to about twelve subscriber output ports 136. In anexample, the splitter enclosure 131 defines about six subscriber outputports 136. In an example, the splitter enclosure 131 defines about eightsubscriber output ports 136. In other examples, the splitter enclosure131 can define a greater or lesser number of subscriber output ports136. In an example, each subscriber output port 136 receives one splitline from the optical splitter. Accordingly, a single-fiber cable can beplugged into each subscriber output port 136 at the splitter terminal130 to receive the optical signals carried over the split line.

In certain implementations, the network output port 134 of the splitterenclosure 131 is one of multiple network output ports 134 that eachreceive optical signals output by the optical splitter. In an example,the splitter enclosure 131 defines two network output ports 134. Inother examples, the splitter enclosure 131 can define a greater orlesser number of network output ports 134. In examples, each networkoutput port 134 receives multiple split lines from the optical splitter.Accordingly, a multi-fiber cable can be plugged into each network outputport 134 at the splitter terminal 130 to receive the optical signalscarried over the split lines.

The splitter enclosure 131 also defines an input port 132. Signalsreceived at the input port 132 are directed to the input of the opticalsplitter. In some examples, the input port 132 includes a sealedpass-through at which a portion of the output cable 120 can enter thesplitter enclosure 131. In other examples, the input port 132 includes aruggedized optical adapter having a ruggedized external port. In such anexample, a ruggedized optical connector of the output cable 120 can bereceived at the ruggedized external port so that optical signals carriedover the output cable 120 are directed to the splitter input. In anexample, the splitter enclosure 131 includes multiple input ports 132.

The output cable 120 extends from a first end 121 to a second end 122.The first end 121 is coupled (e.g., robustly connected) to the thirdcable port 116 of the first indexing terminal 110. In someimplementations, the first end 121 is terminated by an optical connector(e.g., a ruggedized multi-fiber connector) configured to be received atthe third cable port 116. For example, the first end 121 can be alignedwith a multi-fiber optic connector (e.g., a non-ruggedized connector)117 that holds the dropped optical lines and that is received at aninterior of the third cable port 116. In other implementations, thefirst end 121 is disposed within the closure 111 and coupled (e.g.,spliced) to the first and second optical lines that dropped off at theindexing terminal 110.

At least part of the second end 122 of the output cable 120 is opticallycoupled to the input of the optical splitter. In an example, the atleast part of the second end 122 is disposed within the splitterenclosure 131 so that a portion of the output cable 120 passes throughthe input port 132 of the splitter enclosure 131. In another example,the at least part of the second end 122 is terminated by an opticalconnector 125 (e.g., a ruggedized optical connector) that is received atan input port 132 of the splitter terminal 132.

In some implementations, the output cable 120 includes multiple opticalfibers 123 that each optically coupled to one of the first and secondoptical lines that drop off at the indexing terminal 110. In an example,each optical fiber 123 is optically coupled to one of the dropped lines.In certain examples, the optical fibers 123 of the output cable 120 areseparately terminated by ruggedized optical connectors 125 (e.g., DLXconnectors) at the second end 122 of the output cable 120. In suchimplementations, less than all of the optical fibers 123 are routed tothe splitter terminal 130. In the examples shown, the optical fiber 123carrying the dropped first optical line A_(S) and the optical fiber 123carrying the dropped second optical line B₁ are routed to the splitterinput ports 132.

In some examples, the output cable 120 includes a flexible serviceterminal (FST) 128 between the first and second ends 121, 122. In suchexamples, the portion of the output cable 120 extending between thefirst end 121 and the FST 128 includes multiple fibers enclosed within ajacket; the portion of the output cable 120 extending between the FST128 and the second end 122 includes jacketed cable segments 124 eachhaving one of the optical fibers 123. The FST 128 includes a flexibleclosure at the transition point between the first portion of the outputcable 120 and the second portion of the output cable 120. In an example,each of the ruggedized optical connectors 125 terminating the droppedlines includes a single-fiber ruggedized optical connector (e.g., a DLXconnector).

It will be appreciated that the network architecture is depictedschematically in FIG. 1 and that additional multi-fiber opticalconnectors (e.g., ruggedized connectors) can be added into thearchitecture. Additionally, single fiber optical ports, such asruggedized fiber optic adapters, can be provided at the drop ports ofthe indexing terminals. Moreover, various indexing terminals can bestrung serially together in a daisy chain to form the architecture. Inthe depicted embodiment, the multi-fiber optical connectors are 12-fiberoptical connectors. In other examples, the multi-fiber opticalconnectors can include at least 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 or more optical fibers.

In use, the cable arrangement 102 is deployed by installing the indexingterminals 110 at desired locations in the field. In certain examples,the indexing terminals 110 are pre-cabled at the factory before beingdeployed. Accordingly, the indexing terminals utilize plug-and-playconnections in the field.

In some examples, each indexing terminal 110 is associated with amulti-fiber cable 104. To connect an indexing terminal 110 to thenetwork 100, the optical connector 105 of the associated cable 104 isrouted to an adjacent indexing terminal 110 or other network equipment.In an example, the first optical connector 105 is robustly fastened at aruggedized external port of an optical adapter disposed at the secondcable port 114 of the adjacent indexing terminal 110. The opticaladapter aligns the optical fibers of the connector 105 to the opticalfibers of the connector 115 received at the internal port of theadjacent terminal. Likewise, the first optical connector 105 of asubsequent indexing terminal 110 can be robustly fastened at aruggedized external port of the optical adapter disposed at the secondcable port 114 of the indexing terminal 110.

In other examples, a ruggedized optical adapter having a ruggedizedexternal port is also disposed at the first cable port 112. In suchexamples, non-indexed multi-fiber cables can be routed between the firstcable port 112 of an indexing terminal and the second cable port 114 ofa previous indexing terminal in the network.

In certain implementations, one or more of the dropped optical lines canbe routed to the splitter terminal 130 using a plug-and-play connection.For example, a multi-fiber connector terminating the first end 121 of anoutput cable 120 can be received at the third cable port 116 of theindexing terminal 110. For example, a ruggedized multi-fiber connectorcan be robustly fastened to a ruggedized external port of an opticaladapter disposed at the third cable port 116. The optical adapter alignsthe optical fibers of the output cable 120 to the dropped optical fibersreceived at the interior port. Accordingly, optical signals carried overthe dropped optical lines are carried over the optical fibers 123 of theoutput cable 120. One or more ends 122 of the output cable 120 can berouted to one or more splitter terminals 130 as described above.

In certain implementations, fewer than all of the optical fibers 123 ofthe output cable 120 are routed to the splitter terminal 130. In someexamples, one or more of the optical fibers 123 can be used inpoint-to-point (PTP) connections between a subscriber and a centraloffice. A PTP connection provides unsplit signals between the centraloffice and a subscriber. Unsplit signals provide higher bandwidth to thesubscriber. Accordingly, PTP connections are useful for connecting to aDistributed Antenna System (DAS), a WIFI network, a camera (e.g.,security camera, traffic camera, etc.), a traffic light, or any othersubscriber.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeexamples set forth herein.

1. (canceled)
 2. An optical indexing terminal comprising: a bodydefining an interior; a first multi-fiber connector; a secondmulti-fiber connector; a plurality of indexed optical fibers extendingthrough the interior of the body between the first and secondmulti-fiber connectors, the indexed optical fibers being indexed betweenthe first and second multi-fiber connectors; a first drop line extendingfrom the first multi-fiber connector, through the interior of the body,to a third multi-fiber connector accessible from an exterior of thebody; and a second drop line extending from the second multi-fiberconnector, through the interior of the body, to the third multi-fiberconnector.
 3. The optical indexing terminal of claim 2, wherein thefirst multi-fiber connector is a ruggedized optical connector.
 4. Theoptical indexing terminal of claim 2, wherein the first multi-fiberconnector is disposed external of the body so that sections of theindexed optical fibers extend through a sealed pass-through port definedby the body.
 5. The optical indexing terminal of claim 4, wherein thesecond multi-fiber connector is disposed internal of the body.
 6. Theoptical indexing terminal of claim 2, wherein the second multi-fiberconnector is disposed internal of the body.
 7. The optical indexingterminal of claim 2, wherein the first drop line is one of a pluralityof first drop lines extending from the first multi-fiber connector tothe third multi-fiber connector.
 8. The optical indexing terminal ofclaim 7, wherein the second drop line is one of a plurality of seconddrop lines extending from the second multi-fiber connector to the thirdmulti-fiber connector.
 9. The optical indexing terminal of claim 2,wherein the second drop line is one of a plurality of second drop linesextending from the second multi-fiber connector to the third multi-fiberconnector.
 10. The optical indexing terminal of claim 2, furthercomprising an output cable along which the first and second drop linesextend away from the body of the indexing terminal.
 11. The opticalindexing terminal of claim 10, wherein the output cable has a first enddisposed at the body; and wherein the output cable includes a pluralityof fibers, a first of the fibers of the output cable partially definingthe first drop line and a second of the fibers of the output cablepartially defining the second drop line, the optical fibers of theoutput cable being separately terminated by ruggedized opticalconnectors at an opposite second end of the output cable.
 12. An opticalsplitter terminal comprising: an enclosure that houses an opticalsplitter, the optical splitter being configured to split any opticalsignal received at an input of the optical splitter input into multipleoptical signals that are each output onto a separate output fiber; amulti-fiber output port disposed at the enclosure, the multi-fiberoutput port receiving a first set of the output fibers; and asingle-fiber output port disposed at the enclosure, the single-fiberoutput port receiving one of the output fibers that is not in the firstset.
 13. The optical splitter terminal of claim 12, wherein the opticalsplitter is configured to power split the optical signal.
 14. Theoptical splitter terminal of claim 12, wherein the multi-fiber outputport is one of a plurality of multi-fiber output ports disposed at theenclosure.
 15. The optical splitter terminal of claim 14, wherein thesingle-fiber output port is one of a plurality of single-fiber outputports disposed at the enclosure.
 16. The optical splitter terminal ofclaim 12, wherein the single-fiber output port is one of a plurality ofsingle-fiber output ports disposed at the enclosure.
 17. The opticalsplitter terminal of claim 12, wherein the enclosure defines an inputport optically coupled to the optical splitter.
 18. The optical splitterterminal of claim 17, wherein the input port includes a sealed cablepass-through.
 19. The optical splitter terminal of claim 17, wherein theinput port includes a ruggedized optical adapter having a ruggedizedport external of the enclosure.
 20. The optical splitter terminal ofclaim 12, further comprising an output cable extending between first andsecond ends, the second end of the output cable being optically disposedat the enclosure and optically coupled to the optical splitter, thefirst end of the output cable being disposed at an indexing terminal.21. The optical splitter terminal of claim 20, wherein the output cableincludes a first optical drop line and a second optical drop lineextending from the indexing terminal, the first optical drop linecarrying signals from a first indexing direction of the indexingterminal and the second optical drop line carrying signals from a secondindexing direction of the indexing terminal.